National Domestic Violence Awareness Month was established in 1987 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and designated by the U.S. Congress in 1989. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men, and 1 in 2 trans*folks have been physically abused by an intimate partner. Additionally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes. In addition, every year, millions of children are exposed to domestic violence. Domestic violence incidents affect every person within a home and can have long-lasting adverse effects on children’s emotional well-being and social and academic functioning.
For more than 40 years, Pillars Community Health has advocated for adults and their dependent children affected by domestic violence to find a safe haven and rebuild their lives. We make it our mission to cultivate an environment that is physically and psychologically safe, where survivors of domestic violence can learn about their options for change and become empowered to make informed decisions about the future.
In reverence to Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our DV Programs will be hosting several events throughout October in addition to campaigns on our social media pages and throughout the community.